Global impact investment firm Capria Ventures is the manager of the Unitus Seed Fund, the leading impact venture capital fund investing in startups in the agriculture, retail, e-commerce, education, consumer, financial services, and mobile sectors in India, and in 2015 Capria expanded its interests and launched the first global business accelerator for impact fund managers – Capria Accelerator.

 

Emerging markets such as South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are not lacking for innovative entrepreneurs. However, many innovators are not able to realize their full potential. It’s not for lack of capital, but rather a lack of experienced venture fund managers to facilitate the needed support and financing, Dave Richards cofounder and managing director of Capria Ventures told Forbes.

 

“What’s needed are on-the-ground, knowledgeable, capable fund managers who can provide smart capital and support to the best entrepreneurs,” said Richards.

 

Capria Accelerator will provide startup fund managers with seed capital to help fund expenses, and will offer to warehouse a startup’s initial investments on their balance sheet, according to their website. This will enable a fund to demonstrate their investment philosophy to fund investors while still raising the fund. Once the fund is up and running, these investments can be transferred to the startup fund.

 

The accelerator was created with the intent of being an involved and supportive partner, providing example agreements and templates, recommendations for the best and most affordable SaaS tools, and assistance with the selection of service providers. And as the startup fund develops, Capria Accelerator will assist with expertise and fundraising support before launching.

 

The accelerator plans to launch ten early-stage funds in emerging markets within the next five years, committing between $250,000 and $500,000 to each.